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Place the bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then add the juice from 1 1/2 limes and the finely minced garlic cloves.

Season the chicken with a couple pinches of salt, freshly ground black pepper, 1 1/2 tablespoons of paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1/2 tablespoon of onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin.

Mix everything thoroughly to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for 1 to 2 hours at room temperature. If refrigerating, remove the chicken from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.

Preheat your oven to 415°F (218°C). If using an air fryer, preheat to 425°F (218°C).

For oven roasting: Place the marinated chicken thighs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Roast for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For air frying: Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cooking times may vary depending on your appliance.

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the spicy cilantro sauce. In a food processor, combine the large handful of fresh cilantro, 2-3 garlic cloves, 1 jalapeño (with seeds removed to your preferred spice level), the juice from 1 1/2 limes, 2 tablespoons of sour cream, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a couple pinches of sea salt, and 1 tablespoon of chile lime seasoning.

Process the sauce until it is well combined and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt if desired.

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the oven or air fryer. Serve the juicy roasted chicken immediately, topped with the spicy cilantro sauce. The sauce can be prepared in advance and stored separately for meal prepping.


Place the bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then add the juice from 1 1/2 limes and the finely minced garlic cloves.

Season the chicken with a couple pinches of salt, freshly ground black pepper, 1 1/2 tablespoons of paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1/2 tablespoon of onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin.

Mix everything thoroughly to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for 1 to 2 hours at room temperature. If refrigerating, remove the chicken from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.

Preheat your oven to 415°F (218°C). If using an air fryer, preheat to 425°F (218°C).

For oven roasting: Place the marinated chicken thighs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Roast for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For air frying: Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cooking times may vary depending on your appliance.

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the spicy cilantro sauce. In a food processor, combine the large handful of fresh cilantro, 2-3 garlic cloves, 1 jalapeño (with seeds removed to your preferred spice level), the juice from 1 1/2 limes, 2 tablespoons of sour cream, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a couple pinches of sea salt, and 1 tablespoon of chile lime seasoning.

Process the sauce until it is well combined and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt if desired.

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the oven or air fryer. Serve the juicy roasted chicken immediately, topped with the spicy cilantro sauce. The sauce can be prepared in advance and stored separately for meal prepping.
